“Not Enough Manpower”


The case study examines the misconception that organizations face a manpower shortage, attributing it instead to flawed perceptions of effort and efficiency. It highlights how hiring cycles create an illusion of scarcity, ultimately draining energy through procedural compliance. A shift towards systemic understanding and learning is proposed as a sustainable solution.

“Urgent Files”


A Case Study of the Fixes-That-Fail Archetype (STRLDi Compendium of System Archetypes — Draft Edition) “THE LEADERSHIP MIRROR” Every leader believes they are solving problems.Few notice that the problems are quietly solving them. The more effort they invest, the deeper the pattern takes hold — until exhaustion feels like purpose and urgency feels like success. … Continue reading “Urgent Files”

Builders or Bystanders? Three Strategic Scenarios for Botswana’s STEM Future


Your thinking is incisive — and it touches a painful global fault line. ✳️ Introductory Paragraph: The world is not waiting. Nations are restructuring their economies, education systems, and regulatory frameworks to meet the demands of an AI-powered, STEM-led global future. That shift was happening as far back as 200 years ago. In the span … Continue reading Builders or Bystanders? Three Strategic Scenarios for Botswana’s STEM Future

When Matchsticks Meet Megawatts: Why STEM Matters in Regulation


Public servants’ regulatory styles adapt based on their understanding of systems, scale, and causality, influenced by their STEM training and the public’s literacy. STEM-trained regulators prioritize design-based control, while non-STEM counterparts often overregulate for self-preservation, risking bottlenecks and stifling innovation in agriculture and manufacturing.

What led Craik to His Ideas?


Kenneth Craik introduced “mental models” in his 1943 book, exploring how humans understand and act in the world. He was influenced by early cybernetics, dissatisfaction with behaviorism, and his background in psychology and physiology. Craik’s insights laid the groundwork for cognitive science, AI, and the impact of beliefs on decision-making.

Tracing the Lineage of Mental Models


From Inner Maps to Systemic Tools for Transformation Here is a comprehensive write-up tracing the evolution of the concept of Mental Models — from its philosophical roots to the discipline as defined in The Fifth Discipline. This version is written for a thoughtful reader — who is curious not only about what the concept is, … Continue reading Tracing the Lineage of Mental Models

Holding the Line of Transformation: From Steam Engines to Systems Thinking


This post explores transformative innovations throughout history that significantly reshaped society, emphasizing their intentional impact beyond mere technological advances. It highlights the evolution of ideas leading to The Fifth Discipline, which fosters complexity and tacit knowledge essential for effective adaptation. The text calls for a deeper engagement in transformative practices to address modern challenges.

Building the Second Arm of Humanity: When Learning Must Lead


TWO ARMS OF HUMANITY: ONE TO MOVE FAST, ONE TO LEARN WELL 🔷 Refined Summary of My Reflections In the mid-1990s, I encountered The Fifth Discipline at a time when the world—and particularly the Global North —was being swept into deeper currents of industrial management thinking. Although Senge’s work sparked waves of fascination among those … Continue reading Building the Second Arm of Humanity: When Learning Must Lead